Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2011-04-14
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics
11 pages, 10 figures, 5 tables. Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Scientific paper
The detailed comparison between observations and simulations of ram pressure stripped spiral galaxies in the Virgo cluster has led to a three dimensional view of the galaxy orbits within the hot intracluster medium. The 3D velocities and Mach numbers derived from simulations can be used to derive simple Mach cone geometries for Virgo spiral galaxies. We search for indications of hot gas within Mach cones in X-ray observations of selected Virgo Cluster spiral galaxies (NGC 4569, NGC 4388, and NGC 4501). We find extraplanar diffuse X-ray emission in all galaxies. Based on the 3D velocity vectors from dynamical modelling a simple Mach cone is fitted to the triangular shape of NGC 4569's diffuse X-ray emission. Assuming that all extraplanar diffuse X-ray emission has to be located inside the Mach cone, we also fit Mach cones to NGC 4388's and NGC 4501's extraplanar X-ray emission. For NGC 4569 it is hard to reconcile the derived Mach cone opening angle with a Mach number based on the sound speed alone. Instead, a Mach number involving the Alfv\'enic speed seems to be more appropriate, yielding a magnetic field strength of $\sim 3$-6 $\mu$G for a intracluster medium density of $n \sim 10^{-4}$ cm$^{-3}$. Whereas the temperature of the hot component of NGC 4569's X-ray halo (0.5 keV) is at the high end but typical for a galactic outflow, the temperature of the hot gas tails of NGC 4388 and NGC 4501 are significantly hotter (0.7-0.9 keV). In NGC 4569 we find direct evidence for a Mach cone which is filled with hot gas from a galactic superwind. We suggest that the high gas temperatures in the X-ray tails of NGC 4388 and NGC 4501 are due to the mixing of the stripped ISM into the hot intracluster medium of the Virgo cluster.
Bomans Dominik J.
Chyzy Krzysztof Tadeusz
Dettmar Ralf-Juergen
Ehle Matthias
Soida Marian
No associations
LandOfFree
Hot gas in Mach cones around Virgo Cluster spiral galaxies does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Hot gas in Mach cones around Virgo Cluster spiral galaxies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hot gas in Mach cones around Virgo Cluster spiral galaxies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-166408